Thorpe Park’s Asylum Maze, an attraction
featured during October’s Fright Nights, has drawn criticism from those who
think that it “reinforces damaging stereotypes about mental illness.” A mental health nursing student started a
petition which has elicited more than 900 signatures. Thorpe
Park claims that having
actors chase park guests around an imaginary asylum was inspired by horror
films and not intended to be offensive or realistic. Although not intentionally pejorative, it
hit a nerve with a number of mental health advocates including the Rethink
Mental Illness charity. The park,
however, defends its position and the attraction remains open.